Risk factors in premature rupture of membranes.

Objective: This retrospective study was undertaken to investigate risk factors in women who have preterm premature rupture of membranes. This information will aid the clinician in targeting at-risk women for intensified obstetric care and entry into prevention programs.Methods: 28,725 deliveries were analyzed over a 16-month time frame (January 1, 1995-April 30, 1996). These data were collected via a 14 county, 23 hospital population based Perinatal Data System. The associations between premature rupture of membranes and risk factors were analyzed using chi(2) and Fisher's Exact test analyses. Odds ratios show the magnitude of these associations.Results: Risk factors included vaginal bleeding, tobacco usage, multiple births, polyhydramnios, maternal age <20 years and >34 years, congenital malformations, parity, race, in vitro fertilization, sexually transmitted disease, prior preterm delivery, and incompetent cervix. Premature rupture of membranes shows a significant association with prior preterm delivery, prior history of a low birth weight infant, incompetent cervix, tobacco use (12 pack per day), multiple births, parity, in vitro fertilization, sexually transmitted diseases, and viral diseases, P <.001 (for all of these risk factors), polyhydramnios and non-white race, P <.01.Conclusions: These associations help to develop a picture of the patient at risk for premature rupture of membranes. Strategies can be better developed to enter high-risk patients into prevention programs to maximize pregnancy outcomes.